During the Intertestamental Period, the Maccabean Period, also known as the Hasmonean Period, spanned from 165 to 63 BC, covering approximately 102 years. This era began with a revolt sparked by the slaying of an idolatrous Jew at the altar in the Temple. The land of Judea, well-suited for guerrilla tactics, became a stronghold under Judas Maccabaeus, who succeeded his father as leader of the Jewish patriots. Despite three Syrian campaigns, all efforts by Antiochus Epiphanes to suppress the rebellion failed, and after his death from a detestable disease, peace was achieved with the Jews. Though still nominally under Syrian rule, Judas Maccabaeus became governor of Palestine, and his first act was the purification and rededication of the Temple, marking the origin of the Jewish Feast of Purification. When the Syrians renewed hostilities, Judas sought aid from the emerging Roman power, but he died in battle before assistance arrived. His brother Jonathan succeeded him, and from this point, Maccabean history was marked by endless factions. Jonathan was acknowledged by the Syrians as governor of Judea but was soon assassinated. Simon Maccabaeus followed, securing hereditary rule over Palestine with Roman support. He was succeeded by John Hyrcanus, after which bitter partisan controversies and a civil war erupted between Hyrcanus's grandsons, Hyrcanus and Aristobulus. In this destructive conflict, the Roman General Pompey sided with Hyrcanus, while Aristobulus defied Rome and defended Jerusalem. Pompey captured the city after a three-month siege and entered the Holy of Holies, an act that deeply alienated loyal Jewish hearts from Rome. In some respects, the Maccabees established a pattern of Jewish nationalism that persisted into the New Testament period.